Renowned industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata has expressed confidence that semiconductor manufacturing in Assam will catapult the state onto the global arena. Tata's conglomerate has invested Rs 27,000 crore for establishing a semiconductor plant in Jagiroad.

In a recent post on his social media platform, Tata emphasized the transformative potential of these investments for Assam, particularly in advancing cancer care treatment. He highlighted the partnership between the Assam government and the Tata group, aiming to position Assam as a key player in sophisticated semiconductor production.

Acknowledging the pivotal role played by Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Tata expressed gratitude for his support and visionary leadership in driving this initiative forward.

The announcement comes amidst significant developments in India's semiconductor industry. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently assured that the country would witness the rollout of the first domestically produced semiconductor chip by December 2024. This milestone underscores the government's commitment to bolstering electronics manufacturing in India, as emphasized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stones for three semiconductor facilities, including one in Assam, with a combined investment of approximately Rs 1.25 lakh crore. Tata Group is spearheading the establishment of two of these plants, underscoring their commitment to India's technological advancement.

The semiconductor unit in Morigaon, Assam, operated by Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt Ltd ("TSAT"), is poised to be a game-changer. With a capacity to produce 48 million chips per day, the facility will cater to diverse sectors such as automotive, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, telecom, and mobile phones.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma lauded the inclusion of the northeast region in India's technological revolution, noting that previous industrial revolutions had overlooked the area. He highlighted Prime Minister Modi's efforts in integrating the region into the country's technological landscape.

Tata Group aims to commence commercial production at the semiconductor plants in Gujarat and Assam, for which foundation stones were laid, by 2026. The COVID-19-induced chip shortages underscored the importance of indigenous manufacturing for national security and innovation.

Simultaneously, the progress of American chip maker Micron's semiconductor fabrication plant in Gujarat's Sanand, India's first, is advancing rapidly and is expected to be operational by late 2024.

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